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Prof Robert Barrington

@csc-barrington.bsky.social
389 followers 250 following 92 posts

Professor at Centre for the Study of Corruption; ex UK head of TI; UK govt adviser. BVI News: ‘Who is this punk Barrington?’ ‘Thug in a suit.’ ‘Needs to stfu.’

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Prof Robert Barrington @csc-barrington.bsky.social · 01/10/2026
Really fascinating insight from senior lawyer into the changing nature of the legal profession in the UK - and moral drift of large law firms which has seen them compromising the profession's ethical underpinnings, opening the door to professional enabling of kleptocracy amongst other poor practice.
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Governance & Integrity Anti-Corruption Evidence (GI ACE) @giace.bsky.social · 30/09/2026
One week to go! On 7 Oct, Mihály Fazekas and Marko Klasnja will share new GI ACE research on how natural disasters can affect corruption risks in public procurement, drawing on 2.5m contracts across 7 countries. Join and register online via Teams: bit.ly/3TpXEPA
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Governance & Integrity Anti-Corruption Evidence (GI ACE) @giace.bsky.social · 25/09/2026
What does corruption look like in a liberal democracy - and how vulnerable is the UK to forms of state capture? Join our CSC and GI ACE webinar on 20 Oct, 13:00–14:30 UK time for a discussion of Corrupted Kingdom by @csc-barrington.bsky.social 🧵⬇️
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Institute for Government @instituteforgovernment.org.uk · 22/09/2026
Does the UK do enough to guard against corruption in public life? Here's what @csc-barrington.bsky.social, author of 'Corrupted Kingdom', said at an IfG event last week. Hear the full conversation: 📺🎧https://www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/event/does-uk-do-enough-against-corruption-public-life
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Institute for Government @instituteforgovernment.org.uk · 26/08/2026
EVENT | Does the UK do enough to guard against corruption in public life? 📅 Thursday 17 Sept, 17:30 Join us to hear @csc-barrington.bsky.social, John Penrose, @rebeccamckee.bsky.social explore the scale and nature of corruption risks in the UK www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/event/does-u...
An image for an IfG event.

Does the UK do enough to guard against corruption in public life?
Thursday 17 September 2026, 17:30 — 18:30 (BST)

Speakers:
Robert Barrington, author of Corrupted Kingdom: Britain's Disappearing Integrity – And How We Can Get It Back
John Penrose, former government Anti-Corruption Champion

The event will be chaired by Dr Rebecca McKee, Associate Director at the Institute for Government.
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Duncan Hames @duncanhames.bsky.social · 24/08/2026
WATCH: Episode 2 is out now. Featuring a solution widely back by the public, but not the politicians:
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Institute for Government @instituteforgovernment.org.uk · 21/08/2026
EVENT | Does the UK do enough to guard against corruption in public life? 📅 Thursday 17 Sept, 17:30 Join us to hear @csc-barrington.bsky.social, John Penrose, @rebeccamckee.bsky.social explore the scale and nature of corruption risks in the UK www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/event/does-u...
An image for an IfG event.

Does the UK do enough to guard against corruption in public life?
Thursday 17 September 2026, 17:30 — 18:30 (BST)

Speakers:
Robert Barrington, author of Corrupted Kingdom: Britain's Disappearing Integrity – And How We Can Get It Back
John Penrose, former government Anti-Corruption Champion

The event will be chaired by Dr Rebecca McKee, Associate Director at the Institute for Government.
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Governance & Integrity Anti-Corruption Evidence (GI ACE) @giace.bsky.social · 12/08/2026
📣 New #GIACE blog: ‘How far is the UK from US-style state capture?’ @csc-barrington.bsky.social summarises the findings from his recent book on corruption in the UK, 'Corrupted Kingdom: Britain’s disappearing integrity and how we can get it back'.
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How far is the UK from US-style state capture?
Professor Robert Barrington summarises the findings from his recent book, ‘Corrupted Kingdom: Britain’s disappearing integrity and how we can get it back’.
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KickBack - The Global Anticorruption Podcast @kickbackgap.bsky.social · 17/07/2026
New on KickBack: @lizdavidbarrett.bsky.social speaks with @csc-barrington.bsky.social about *Corrupted Kingdom*, Britain’s decline in public integrity, weaknesses in accountability and what it will take to rebuild trust. Listen: Spotify: bit.ly/4hiYY0h SoundCloud: bit.ly/4ho1RwK
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Centre for the Study of Corruption (CSC) @sussexscsc.bsky.social · 14/07/2026
Watch the recording of our MA Corruption & Governance Alumni Career Session, held on 17 June 2026. Louise Machareth, Lena Raballand and Tom Wright share insights on careers in anti-corruption, governance and related fields: www.youtube.com/watch?v=-ucp...
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Centre for the Study of Corruption (CSC) @sussexscsc.bsky.social · 13/07/2026
Three days until *Corrupted Kingdom* is published. Professor @csc-barrington.bsky.social examines how integrity has been eroded in British public life - and what it will take to restore it. Out 16 July and available to pre-order now. Pre-order your copy: profilebooks.com/work/corrupted-kingdom/
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Daniel Bruce @danieljbruce.bsky.social · 08/07/2026
It's been an extraordinary privilege to lead the vital work of @transparencyuk.bsky.social for nearly seven years. I am now preparing for a new challenge in an exciting new role at Channel 4 where I take up post in October. www.channel4.com/press/news/c...
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Centre for the Study of Corruption (CSC) @sussexscsc.bsky.social · 09/07/2026
One week to go until *Corrupted Kingdom* by Professor @csc-barrington.bsky.social is published on 16 July. The book examines corruption across British institutions and asks how integrity and public trust can be rebuilt. Pre-order: profilebooks.com/work/corrupt...
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The Bunker podcast – News without the nonsense @bunkerpod.bsky.social · 08/07/2026
Is Britain really as free of corruption as we think? This year the UK posted its lowest-ever score in a global corruption index. @csc-barrington.bsky.social joins @misszing.bsky.social to unpick how corruption manifests in Britain. ➡️ linktr.ee/bunker_pod
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Prof Robert Barrington @csc-barrington.bsky.social · 07/07/2026
What is the purpose of football? My colleague Dan Hough explores FIFA, integrity and the events of the World Cup @sussexscsc.bsky.social @lizdavidbarrett.bsky.social blogs.sussex.ac.uk/centre-for-t...
blogs.sussex.ac.uk
The 2026 FIFA World Cup; Power, money and a fundamental lack of integrity | Centre for the Study of Corruption
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KickBack - The Global Anticorruption Podcast @kickbackgap.bsky.social · 02/07/2026
🎙️ New KickBack episode! Host @csc-barrington.bsky.social is joined by Professor Bonnie Palifka to discuss corruption research, measurement and the changing challenges facing anti-corruption efforts. 🧵⬇️
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Prof Robert Barrington @csc-barrington.bsky.social · 01/07/2026
Corrupted Kingdom - the full story of corruption in the UK. Decades of research. Thousands of interviews and conversations. Available to pre-order now. @ukanticorruptioncoalition.org @sussexscsc.bsky.social @profilebooks.bsky.social
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Centre for the Study of Corruption (CSC) @sussexscsc.bsky.social · 01/07/2026
Join us on 16 July at Daunt Books, Cheapside, for the launch of "Corrupted Kingdom" by @csc-barrington.bsky.social. Described as “a wake-up call for all of us”, the book examines corruption across British public life and what can be done to rebuild integrity. RSVP: rsvp@profilebooks.com
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Prof Robert Barrington @csc-barrington.bsky.social · 24/06/2026
Four signals that will tell us in the first hundred days where a Burnham premiership stands on ethics, integrity and standards in public life: blogs.sussex.ac.uk/centre-for-t...
blogs.sussex.ac.uk
Why the UK’s next Prime Minister needs to take a firmer stance on ethics and integrity | Centre for the Study of Corruption
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Peter Geoghegan @petergeoghegan.bsky.social · 01/06/2026
We only went and won it!! 🎉🎉🎉 A newsletter has just won the biggest prize in British journalism Absolutely delighted. Huge thanks to Khadija and to all Democracy for Sale’s supporters 😊
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Centre for the Study of Corruption (CSC) @sussexscsc.bsky.social · 27/05/2026
Thinking about careers in anti-corruption and governance? Join us online on 17 June for the MA Corruption & Governance Alumni Career Session, chaired by @csc-barrington.bsky.social, with Louise Machareth, Lena Raballand and Tom Wright. Register: www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/macag-alum...
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Spotlight on Corruption @spotlightcorruption.org · 21/04/2026
“Today’s revelations that No10 put the Foreign Office under pressure to put – not just one – but two political allies into key diplomatic roles points to a very concerning ‘jobs for mates’ culture and a deeply cavalier attitude to conflicts of interest..."
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Transparency International UK @transparencyuk.bsky.social · 17/04/2026
💥"When politicians hold stakes in the sectors they promote, promise regulatory favours to friends and openly threaten disfavoured companies, the boundary between public policy and private gain begins to dissolve." Fraser Nelson in @thetimes.com on the corruption risks of crypto. More below ⤵️
thetimes.com
The coming of crypto: how Nigel Farage plans to reshape politics
Trump once called cryptocurrency a scam but in office has embraced it. Now Reform wants to bring a similar revolution to Britain — even if it resembles a racket
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Steve Goodrich @stevejgoodrich.bsky.social · 08/04/2026
The public want to stop the super wealthy buying our democracy, yet the gov only capping donations from overseas voters won't address voters concerns. There should be a limit on how much anyone can give to parties and politicians annually, not just those abroad. www.theguardian.com/politics/202...
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Transparency International UK @transparencyuk.bsky.social · 02/04/2026
📄 Almost 8 years since the UK's offshore financial centres committed to public registers of beneficial ownership - where are we now? 🔎 @margotmollat.bsky.social finds while a few have made progress, some of the worst jurisdictions for corruption are lagging behind. 🔗 Full analysis in comments ⤵️
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KickBack - The Global Anticorruption Podcast @kickbackgap.bsky.social · 27/02/2026
KB – Episode 145🎙️ @csc-barrington.bsky.social speaks with @marianizzero.bsky.social about research reframing kleptocracy as a transnational criminal enterprise, and the implications for UK asset recovery and national security. 🎧 Spotify bit.ly/SpotifyKBep145 🎧 SoundCloud bit.ly/SoundCloudKB...
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Centre for the Study of Corruption (CSC) @sussexscsc.bsky.social · 11/02/2026
Prof @csc-barrington.bsky.social examines the Mandelson–Epstein affair through the lens of corruption analysis. Using CSC’s definition- the abuse of entrusted power for private gain which harms the public interest- the blog asks whether the term “corruption” is analytically appropriate in this case
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Centre for the Study of Corruption (CSC) @sussexscsc.bsky.social · 11/02/2026
Why is the UK now just scraping into the top twenty of Transparency International’s Corruption Perceptions Index, when a decade ago it was comfortably in the top ten? Political integrity - and perceptions of corruption - may be part of the answer. 🧵⬇️
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Centre for the Study of Corruption (CSC) @sussexscsc.bsky.social · 06/02/2026
❓ “Is Peter Mandelson corrupt (assuming the allegations against him are true)?” In a new blog, @csc-barrington.bsky.social examines this question using corruption analysis rather than focusing solely on criminal liability. 🔗 Read now: bit.ly/3M9SFz6
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Prof Robert Barrington @csc-barrington.bsky.social · 06/02/2026
Is Peter Mandelson corrupt (assuming the allegations against him are true)? Long story short: yes. Here’s why: blogs.sussex.ac.uk/centre-for-t... #Corruption #PoliticalIntegrity #Governance #PublicTrust #UKPolitics #PeterMandelson #EpsteinFiles
blogs.sussex.ac.uk
Corruption and the Mandelson-Epstein affair | Centre for the Study of Corruption
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KickBack - The Global Anticorruption Podcast @kickbackgap.bsky.social · 30/01/2026
🎙️ New KickBack podcast episode (Ep. 143) @csc-barrington.bsky.social speaks with @racheldavies.bsky.social (@anticorruption.bsky.social) and Tom Shipley (CSC) to assess what the government’s UK Anti-Corruption Strategy 2025 prioritises, where it marks progress, and where gaps remain.
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Governance & Integrity Anti-Corruption Evidence (GI ACE) @giace.bsky.social · 27/01/2026
🚨 The January 2026 edition of the GI ACE Newsletter is out now! Inside you’ll find information about our latest publications, events, blogs, podcasts, and more. 🔗 Read this month’s newsletter: bit.ly/3LXvojB 🔗 Subscribe to receive future editions via email: bit.ly/49Xj62F
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Aleks Szczerbiak @aleksszczerbiak.bsky.social · 24/01/2026
My interview with @tvpworld.bsky.social on Poland’s approach to Donald Trump’s proposed Board of Peace: www.youtube.com/watch?v=QSuz...
youtube.com
Trump's Board of Peace: Polish leadership divided | Aleks Szczerbiak
YouTube video by TALKING WITH TVP WORLD
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Governance & Integrity Anti-Corruption Evidence (GI ACE) @giace.bsky.social · 23/01/2026
📣 Blog: ‘Evaluating the evidence base for the UK’s 2025 Anti‑Corruption Strategy’ @csc-barrington.bsky.social argues although the Strategy is the most evidence‑based yet, key data gaps remain and its impact hinges on the implementation of commitments to improve research, evaluation and measurement.
giace.org
Evaluating the evidence base for the UK's 2025 Anti-Corruption Strategy - Governance & Integrity Anti-Corruption Evidence
Professor Robert Barrington from the Centre for the Study of Corruption looks at the use of research and evidence in the UK’s new Anti-Corruption Strategy.
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Aleks Szczerbiak @aleksszczerbiak.bsky.social · 09/01/2026
A report of my UK Polish Embassy book launch in ‘Transitions’ magazine: tol.org/client/artic...
tol.org
Why Religion Still Matters in Polish Politics - Transitions
While Poland is secularizing, Catholicism still shapes its politics in subtle but significant ways.
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KickBack - The Global Anticorruption Podcast @kickbackgap.bsky.social · 08/01/2026
Our first Kickback episode of 2026 🎙️ @lizdavidbarrett.bsky.social speaks with Anna Persson on why anticorruption reforms fail, systemic corruption as collective action, and why transparency alone isn’t enough. 🎧 bit.ly/SpotifyKB142 🎧 bit.ly/SoundCloudKB... 🎧 bit.ly/AppleKB142
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Duncan Hames @duncanhames.bsky.social · 07/12/2025
If he was an MP, his voters could now be demanding a by-election under the Recall Act, but as Tony Blair gave him a life peerage, he could be back in the House of Lords next year. More here from Rob Evans and @direthoughts.com: www.theguardian.com/politics/202...
theguardian.com
Peer suspended from House of Lords was allegedly paid $1m in ‘corrupt’ deal
Lord Evans of Watford and other directors of investment firm deny claims made in lawsuits they say are ‘meritless’
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Cat Neilan @catneilan.bsky.social · 24/11/2025
Excellent work from @direthoughts.com and team, exposing serious misconduct resulting in a lengthy suspension for these two peers
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Governance & Integrity Anti-Corruption Evidence (GI ACE) @giace.bsky.social · 24/11/2025
Professional enablers often work behind the scenes—but their influence can drive corruption and state capture. Join our GI ACE roundtable with @lizdavidbarrett.bsky.social, @devipillay.co.za, Alex Cooley, @jheathershaw.bsky.social, Corentin Cohen and @tenaprelec.bsky.social 🔗 bit.ly/GIACERoundtable
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Consultants, capture, and kleptocrats: how professional service providers enable corruption
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Anne Applebaum @anneapplebaum.wsocial.eu · 15/11/2025
To negotiate a trade deal with the President of the United States, the Swiss government arrived with a "special Rolex desktop clock" and "a 1-kilogram personalized gold bar" www.axios.com/2025/11/14/t...
axios.com
How to lobby Trump with Swiss precision: gifts, gold and gab
How the Swiss broke a diplomatic logjam on tariffs by arriving with tributes fit for a king.
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Governance & Integrity Anti-Corruption Evidence (GI ACE) @giace.bsky.social · 13/11/2025
Today’s #GIACEseminar was a lively dive into how illicit finance is reshaping tourism and hospitality. Thank you to Jean-Patrick Villeneuve, @ofabianobomfim.bsky.social, Dieter Zinnbauer, @lizdavidbarrett.bsky.social and all the participants who joined! Learn more: bit.ly/corruptionin...
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Governance & Integrity Anti-Corruption Evidence (GI ACE) @giace.bsky.social · 06/11/2025
Crises like pandemics, cholera outbreaks & climate disasters don’t just strain health systems — they amplify corruption risks. New #GIACE blog by Claudia Baez Camargo & @dinabalabanova.bsky.social explores how overlapping emergencies in Malawi opened space for corruption. 🔗 bit.ly/BaselGIACEBlog
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Addressing Corruption in Crises Matters: Towards effective crisis-responses in the Malawian health system - Governance & Integrity Anti-Corruption Evidence
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Governance & Integrity Anti-Corruption Evidence (GI ACE) @giace.bsky.social · 06/11/2025
🚨The Nov GI ACE Newsletter is out! From real estate money laundering to sanctions evasion & a new blog on anti-money-laundering in the Global South — explore the latest from the GI ACE network. 🔗Read: bit.ly/GIACENewsletter_7 🔗SUB: bit.ly/NewsletterSUB
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Governance & Integrity Anti-Corruption Evidence Programme (Uni. of Sussex)
Governance & Integrity Anti-Corruption Evidence Programme (Uni. of Sussex) Email Forms
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Centre for the Study of Corruption (CSC) @sussexscsc.bsky.social · 21/10/2025
📢 CSC Seminar: From London to “Dubai-Kong” (1980–2024) 🗓 Mon 27 Oct, 12:00–13:00 UK | Online How US-sanctioned networks shifted from Western hubs to a Dubai–Hong Kong axis. Speaker: Daniel Haberly | Discussant: Tom Keatinge | Chair: @csc-barrington.bsky.social Register Here: bit.ly/CSC2webinar
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PoliticsHome @politicshome.bsky.social · 16/10/2025
As it stands, the government has taken a piecemeal approach to standards reform We need to see much more from Labour if it is to take meaningful steps to restore public trust in the political system, writes Transparency International UK's @danieljbruce.bsky.social
politicshome.com
We need more than piecemeal reforms to ethics and standards
A few months into ‘phase two’ of Keir Starmer’s government, ministerial resignations and some uncomfortable headlines raise questions about how far...
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Joe Powell MP @joepowell.bsky.social · 17/10/2025
🚨 Baroness Mone, the directors, and everyone involved in PPE Medpro have missed the deadline to repay the £122 million owed for supplying faulty PPE. Now the interest is mounting. Every day they delay, the public pays. My message is clear: pay back what you owe.
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Transparency International UK @transparencyuk.bsky.social · 16/10/2025
In opposition, Labour was quick to condemn the previous government’s ethical failures and pledge to clean up politics. It now has the chance to prove its commitment is more than campaign rhetoric. @danieljbruce.bsky.social writes in @politicshome.bsky.social. www.politicshome.com/opinion/arti...
politicshome.com
We need more than piecemeal reforms to ethics and standards
A few months into ‘phase two’ of Keir Starmer’s government, ministerial resignations and some uncomfortable headlines raise questions about how far...
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Phil Brickell MP @philbrickellmp.bsky.social · 14/10/2025
Strong move from the new Foreign Secretary. But it is shocking that fraudsters were able to hide behind shell companies in our own offshore territories, and then invest their ill-gotten gains in UK property. It is time to drive dirty money out of our economy for good.
independent.co.uk
UK sanctions scam network ‘masterminds’ who bought London properties
Both men were born in China but hold Cambodian, Cypriot and Hong Kong citizenship.
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Centre for the Study of Corruption (CSC) @sussexscsc.bsky.social · 14/10/2025
New on the CSC blog: the 4th post in our Tasmania series by @robynlewis.bsky.social & Michael Johnston examines “quiet capture” and outlines reforms - independent ACA, stronger transparency/lobbying oversight, public-service capacity, meaningful participation. Read: bit.ly/Tasmania4
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Sue Hawley @suehawley.bsky.social · 13/10/2025
How big an impact will “minor reorganisation “ of UK ethics regulation bodies and the creation of advisory ethics commission with no enforcement powers have? Key question from @peterwalker99.bsky.social Our evidence to Parliament warns real risk of not much. www.theguardian.com/politics/202...
theguardian.com
Post-ministerial jobs watchdog closes as part of UK government ethics shake-up
Exclusive: Acoba’s functions split between two regulators and new Ethics and Integrity Commission to oversee others
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